Post by KG on Jul 27, 2010 21:03:07 GMT
Sea Fever - The sequel
By Reg Harrison
With sincere apologies to the late John Masefield
They did go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky,
But when they got down there all hell was standing by,
U-boats lurked below them, Condors ranged the skies,
E-boats and surface raiders oft appeared in salt stung eyes
They did go down to the sea again when they heard their Country’s cry.
A loud call, a clear call that they could not deny,
Every one a volunteer and boys of fourteen too,
No conscription call did they await, they knew what they must do.
They did go down to the sea again to that wild and dangerous life,
They were there at Dunkirk and wherever there was strife,
They sailed the seas to Murmansk and little Malta too,
They crossed the world’s great oceans, food and arms to bring to you.
They did go down to the sea again that scruffy but loyal band,
And when that great invasion came they were there to lend a hand,
They kept our soldiers going with ammo guns and tanks,
And then they brought them home again and received their grateful thanks.
They did go down to the sea again and served their Country well,
But thirty thousand Shipmates are still there beneath the swell,
So when you see ‘Red Dusters’ flying spare a moments pause,
Be thankful they went to sea again to help our Country’s cause.
* * * * *
The Merchant Navy Association Newsletter 'Full Ahead'
First print appeared in “Full Ahead’, The Merchant Navy Association commissions a newsletter four times per year in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and is reproduced here with all necessary permissions, it would be suggested that similar permission be sought prior to copying for anything else apart from personal use etc. Our use would be only as ever to raise and promote further awareness and not for any form of profit or gain. We thank Reg Harrison, Full Ahead and MNA National for all help and assistance.
www.mna.org.uk/Full%20Ahead.htm
The original “Sea Fever” by John Masefield follows below:
As said and intended reproduced with permission to raise awareness and further promote and remember the many. K.
"Sea-Fever"
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)